Welcome, dear readers.
Aaron asked me to write this introduction. I must say, it feels a bit strange knowing you may read about the private and most painful aspects of my life.
In Double Forté, you'll learn about my first love, Elsbeth, who died in a manner most unfitting such an ethereal and fiery spirit. I still picture her brooding eyes and delicate fingers each time I play a Chopin mazurka. She shouldn't have died so young. She shouldn't have died at all.
You'll experience my childhood summers in Maine, through Tremolo, and the mystery of the missing little girl who haunted my dreams. Though I dearly loved Loon Harbor and the camp my grandparents ran on the lake, 1964 was a most challenging summer.
Now my life is out there-literally an open book-ready to be celebrated or ridiculed by millions of strangers. You'll know what feasts I cook for my family, what variety of beets I grow in the garden, what games I play with my grandchildren, and how nuts I am about my dog.
You'll watch me chase villains through the wintry woods and rescue a mute child from an icy hillside. You'll hop back in time to my days in Boston, where I wrote the musical "Spirit Me Away," showcased in Upstaged. You'll feel my pain when I recount the days just before my father died. And you'll peek into my hotel room in Paris when I consummate my second marriage.
It's pretty scary.
Should I have let Aaron write these books?
He convinced me that in addition to providing literary amusement, it would also set a great example for mankind. That in the face of the media explosion of sex and violence, folks craved wholesome entertainment. They wanted to be reminded how to nurture one's family, be one with nature, live for the greater good, and stand up to evil.
Was he right?
I don't know. But he says he gets lots of fan mail at aaron.lazar at yahoo.com. He tells me the ladies want to marry me. And that some of the guys have written to thank him for reminding them about the importance of stopping corporate madness to spend time with a child or to take walks in the woods with their dog. And I guess they all get a bit of a thrill from all the chase scenes.
Folks stop me in the market and ask if Aaron embellishes the stories to make them sell. I have to admit that he does-just a little-my house really isn't as clean as he portrays it. And sometimes dirty clothes reach for the ceiling in the laundry room. Mrs. Pierce tries her best, but we are a very lively and messy family.
Well, Johnny's calling me to help him catch fireflies. I can't disappoint him.
If you're interested in buying some of Aaron's mysteries, you can order them online or at your local bookstore, or drop him a line. He keeps boxes of them around the house, too, and loves to autograph them to send to readers. And he's a real ham. So if you have a book club or library event that needs a literary guest, contact him. He really gets into it.
God Bless,
Gus LeGarde
***
Read Excerpts from Gus LeGarde mysteries:
Three books featured above are available for purchase. Healey's Cave (the first in the paranormal mystery series featuring Sam Moore) and Mazurka are in the final stages of publishing and should be available by summer 2008. There are also seven additional books, either in the publishing queue or with available rights.
And remember, take pleasure in the little things. Listen to the details: the crackle of the woodstove as it cools, the soft rustle of grass beneath your feet, the whisper of breath when a baby sighs in sleep... Absorb the beauty around you, whether it's the flash of love in an old woman's eye, or the fragile petal of a tiny orange cinquefoil. Let them sink into your soul, for they will provide untold comfort in the years to come.
- Aaron Paul Lazar
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 35
Thanks, Diane. Hope you enjoy this gorgeous day.
And remember, take pleasure in the little things. Listen to the details: the crackle of the woodstove as it cools, the soft rustle of grass beneath your feet, the whisper of breath when a baby sighs in sleep... Absorb the beauty around you, whether it's the flash of love in an old woman's eye, or the fragile petal of a tiny orange cinquefoil. Let them sink into your soul, for they will provide untold comfort in the years to come.
His words above say it all. You are fortunate indeed!
Thanks and have a great weekend.
I cannot believe how many books you've written and published in such a short time - a couple of years...amazing. I enjoyed Tremolo a great deal.
Hi, Anne! Gus tells me you're an avid gardener, too. Next time you're in New York (on your next book tour for Dark Well of Decision?), maybe you could stop by and we could compare vegetable varieties and methods. I hear you also keep a nice henhouse filled with all kinds of chicks, ducks, and more.
John - Aaron says thanks, and to be sure to keep in touch. He says your writing is hilarious and that he loves your sense of humor.
Thanks, AF. Tell us a bit about yourself? As a matter of fact, why don't all of you authors tell us a bit about yourselves?? I'd love to hear about your work, and as you know, I'm always reading and looking for my next favorite author.
Eddie - I've read the founding book in your Alex Mendez series, and so has Aaron. He gave it to me, actually. Good stuff! I think in order to get Alex to write something for him, you might have to couch it in a challenge, or get him to talk about his current case. Maybe that would work?
Thanks, Marilyn. Hope you're well.
Kathryn, thanks from Aaron. He's a maniac. Always at that computer at the weirdest hours. And he hounds me, of course, for material, always on my case to tell him the latest details. I think he's already written twelve books, which is beyond my imagination. Aside from my tomb on Chopin's life (which is still not finished, by the way), I haven't been too successful myself with finding time for writing. I guess you can say he's empassioned. Or obsessed.
Thanks, Pat. Are you the Patricia Fowler who he's been raving about lately? It seems your writing has stolen his heart. He gets all excited when you write a new memoir essay, and tells me your considering a few novels. It's funny how his eyes get all lit up when he talks about a great writer. As if he's rather inspired.
Beverly, thanks! And you know, that eleven year old kid that I was in that adventure isn't too far from who I am today. Thank goodness I can play with my grandkids now to help recapture my true self.
Wanda you're welcome. I guess maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all? And it is a bit cathartic, to expunge the details of those horrible villains who have threatened my family over the years. I just hope there aren't any new ones lurking in the future. But something tells me...could I be that lucky?
That Aaron sure sounds interesting and impressive. You gotta love an author that can cook a meatloaf and thinks about his friend's health.
I believe I heard of Tremolo when I first joined gather, but I did not stick around then.
Now that I am, sticking around that is, I will have a look at each book - they all sound interesting.
Thank you for filling me in on the latest:)
Deborah - thank you. Aaron says that some of the books are in the libraries, and that some are also available online "used" but in good shape. You can save some money that way.
Trudy, it's my pleasure. Hope you're doing well and enjoying this lovely spring.
Laurun - good luck with those finals. And remember to take some short breaks while you're studying to help clear your head. You know I'm a college prof, and I am rooting for you.
Rose, it's a pleasure to meet you. Let Aaron know what you think of the books when you can, he adores hearing from his readers.
Maureen, Aaron smiled when I told him what you said. He's beaming, actually. He says thanks very much.
Tammy - I know what you mean, my pile "to be read" is towering and threatening to topple over. LOL!
Aww, Beryl. You are a dear. Gus appreciates your kind words. I've missed you!
I am hoping for the chance to read and review another sometime soon!
TB, I didn't know you read and reviewed it. Where is the review? I'm going to go hunt for it, but I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the book! Thank you!
I spent a lot of time at Bar Harbor/Cadillac Mountain - where the sun first greets the US - in my college years of the late sixties early 70's, before returning to Denmark.
It can only mean, as with Stephen King, that one might need to spend time in Maine to gain some interesting perspectives.
Brent- thanks so much. You know, we camped on Cadillac Mountain years ago. I remember picking blueberries and hanging out on the beach where the jelly fish were prevalent. Loved climbing on the rocks, too. Thanks for jogging those memories!
I just wanted to say I am finally going through my currently over 6,000 pieces of gather new mail that is in my inbox on here. So with that in mind I have finally come to a piece of mail that was addressed to me in regards this article submission you have created to share with the gather community. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your piece with us here at gather. :o)